n.1 anything enduring that serves to commemorate or make celebrated, esp. a structure or building.
2 a stone or other structure placed over a grave or in a church etc. in memory of the dead.
3 an ancient building or site etc. that has survived or been preserved.
4 (foll. by of, to) a typical or outstanding example (a monument of indiscretion).
5 a written record.
Etymology: ME f. F f. L monumentum f. monere remind